The research was authored by Ivonny Melinda Sapulete, Margareth Rosalinda Sapulete, Frelly Valentino Kuhon, Jeini Ester Nelwan, and Oksfriani Jufri Sumampouw, and published in the International Journal of Natural and Health Sciences (IJNHS), Volume 4, Issue 1. The findings reveal that hypertension and diabetes now account for almost all recorded non-communicable disease (NCD) cases in Tomohon, with increases exceeding 80 percent in just one year.
The scale and speed of this rise place Tomohon among urban areas facing a rapidly intensifying burden of chronic disease, with implications for healthcare systems, economic productivity, and long-term population health.
Chronic Diseases Now Dominate Tomohon’s Health Burden
According to data from the Tomohon City Health Office, a total of 20,029 non-communicable disease cases were recorded in 2024. Of these, hypertension accounted for 16,665 cases (83.21 percent), while diabetes mellitus contributed 2,780 cases (13.88 percent). Together, the two conditions represented 97.09 percent of all NCD cases reported in the city.
Other non-communicable diseases—including heart disorders, stroke, obesity, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer—were recorded in much smaller numbers. The researchers note that the very low number of detected cancer cases likely reflects limited screening coverage rather than a genuinely low incidence.
The dominance of hypertension and diabetes highlights the growing influence of lifestyle-related risk factors, such as high salt and sugar intake, physical inactivity, and urban stress patterns.
Cases Rose Dramatically Between 2023 and 2024
A year-to-year comparison reveals an alarming escalation. In 2023, Tomohon recorded 9,047 hypertension cases, rising sharply to 16,665 cases in 2024, an increase of 84.2 percent. Diabetes mellitus cases rose from 1,517 to 2,780, marking an 83.26 percent increase within the same period.
Such increases far exceed normal population growth and point to systemic issues in disease prevention and risk control. While improved detection and reporting may have contributed to the rise, the magnitude of the increase suggests that underlying risk factors in the community are intensifying.
The authors describe the pattern as a warning signal that existing non-communicable disease prevention strategies may no longer be sufficient.
Elderly Most Affected, but Youth Trends Raise Alarm
Age-group analysis provides deeper insight into the evolving disease pattern. The elderly population (over 60 years old) experienced the most severe increase. Hypertension cases in this group rose by 128.8 percent, while diabetes cases increased by 125.8 percent. Nearly half of Tomohon’s elderly population is now living with hypertension.
More concerning, however, is the shift toward younger age groups. Among adolescents aged 15–17, hypertension cases increased by 109 percent in just one year. Young adults aged 18–29 also showed rising numbers of both hypertension and diabetes cases, despite being at an age traditionally associated with peak physical health.
The parallel rise of hypertension and diabetes across age groups reinforces their close metabolic relationship and shared lifestyle risk factors. The findings suggest that the onset of chronic disease is occurring earlier in life, increasing the likelihood of long-term complications and prolonged healthcare costs.
Why the Findings Matter Beyond Health Statistics
Hypertension is widely known as a “silent killer,” often progressing without symptoms while increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure. Diabetes mellitus carries similar long-term risks, including cardiovascular disease, vision loss, and disability.
The rapid growth of these conditions in Tomohon presents not only a medical challenge but also a social and economic one. Rising treatment costs, reduced workforce productivity, and increased demand for long-term care could place significant strain on local health systems and public budgets.
The study underscores that chronic disease prevention is no longer an issue confined to older populations. Without early intervention, the burden of disease will increasingly affect people in their productive years.
Policy Implications and Strategic Responses
Based on the findings, the researchers emphasize the need for age-specific prevention strategies. Early screening should be expanded to adults aged 30–39, identified as a critical window for preventing progression to severe disease.
For older adults, integrated chronic disease management programs—such as Indonesia’s Program Pengelolaan Penyakit Kronis (Prolanis)—need strengthening and closer alignment with healthy aging initiatives. Health promotion campaigns must also be redesigned to effectively reach adolescents and young adults, encouraging healthier habits before disease onset.
According to the authors, “the sharp rise across all age groups indicates the need for life-course-based prevention strategies, supported by stronger early detection and continuous monitoring.”
Author Profiles
The study was conducted by Ivonny Melinda Sapulete, Margareth Rosalinda Sapulete, Frelly Valentino Kuhon, Jeini Ester Nelwan, and Oksfriani Jufri Sumampouw. All authors are affiliated with Universitas Sam Ratulangi in Manado and specialize in public health, epidemiology, non-communicable disease prevention, and health promotion.
Source
- Sapulete, I.M., Sapulete, M.R., Kuhon, F.V., Nelwan, J.E., & Sumampouw, O.J. (2026).
- Analysis of Trends and Distribution of Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Tomohon City 2023–2024
- International Journal of Natural and Health Sciences (IJNHS), Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 51–60.
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijnhs.v4i1.171
- Official Journal URL: https://aprmultitechpublisher.my.id/index.php/ijnhs
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